Diplomatic Correspondent

Bangladesh is set to host global investors and top executives as the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 kicks off on Monday, aiming to spotlight the country’s evolving investment landscape, poised for transformative opportunities and unprecedented growth.Global investment leaders, executives and industry pioneers will engage in discussion as Bangladesh redefines the future of investment in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.Organised by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 — is set to take place in Dhaka from April 7-10.BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun emphasised the summit’s role in positioning Bangladesh as a global investment destination.“Foreign investors need a clearer understanding of Bangladesh’s economic landscape and growth potential. This summit will not only showcase investment opportunities but also highlight the significant reforms undertaken to create a more business-friendly environment,” he said.The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 is set to be a milestone event, reinforcing the country’s commitment to economic progress, investment-friendly policies, and long-term growth, said the BIDA Executive Chairman.Some 550 global participants from around 50 countries will participate in the Investment Summit.Delegations from China, the UK, the US, Singapore, South Korea and India are among the global participants.Baroness Rosie Winterton , UK's Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Jarno Syrjälä, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & CEO of DP World, Óscar García Maceiras, CEO of Inditex, Mike Orgill, Senior Director at Public Policy & Government Relations of APAC, Uber, Kyeongsu Lee, Vice President of SAMSUNG C&T, Jon Omund Revhaug, Executive Vice President and Head of Telenor Asia, Han Jun-seokt, CEO of Giordano Korea are among the key guests, according to the BIDA.The BIDA Executive Chairman will further brief the media this (Sunday) afternoon at the Foreign Service Academy.On April 7, the investors will visit the Korean Export Processing Zone and Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram."A 26-member delegation is coming from South Korea. We see this as a very positive outcome," Chowdhury Ashik said.On April 8, the foreign participants will visit the Japanese Economic Zone at Araihazar.The main event will be held at a city hotel on April 9 where Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will join. "It's a collective effort. Private sectors and embassies (foreign missions in Dhaka) are equally involved," said the BIDA Executive Chairman."We will have more focus on bilateral meetings," he added.On March 23, the BIDA Executive Chairman said Bangladesh wants to give a "genuine view" of Bangladesh to the global investors, telling true stories of investment opportunities that Bangladesh offers."It's very difficult to give investors a genuine view and tell the true stories until we bring them physically. We want to give the investors a real picture through the Bangladesh Investment Summit," he said.Referring to remote research made by investors, Chowdhury Ashik said what the investors know about Bangladesh remotely without their physical presence is not the right picture of the country as the ground reality is different.Responding to a question, the BIDA Executive Chairman said the investors are coming to Bangladesh, keeping in mind the "short-term disruption."Chowdhury Ashik said they want to give a picture to the global investors that it is a different environment and the long-term view is still very positive.He said there will be dedicated rooms for three political parties- BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party - so that the investors can get a view on the political front.Chowdhury Ashik said there will be more rooms for having bilateral meetings, and there will be a corner for signing MoUs and agreements keeping eyes on future investment.A cultural segment will also be there to present Bangladesh before the foreigners showcasing its rich cultural heritage.The BIDA Executive Chairman also said April 9 will be a demo day for using Starlink.Several high-profile business leaders will be attending, including Óscar García Maceiras, CEO of Zara Group; Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World; Rosy Winterton, Baroness and UK trade representative; Kyeongsu Lee, VP of Samsung C&T; JunSeok Han, CEO of Giordano; Steven Kobos, CEO of Excelerate Energy; Mike Orgill, Head of Public Policy for Uber Asia Pacific; and Sarim Aziz, Director of Public Policy at Meta.The summit will also feature participation from venture capital firms such as B Capital, Gobi, Conjunction, Marubeni, and GFR, focusing on startup investments and digital economy expansion.On April 10, multiple breakout sessions will cover key investment sectors such as digital economy (led by Citi NA & UNDP), textiles (HSBC & BGMEA), agriculture and agro-processing (Dutch Embassy & LCP), and healthcare (Inspira, EBL & Sajida Foundation).The day will also feature a matchmaking session and a roundtable discussion on global investment best practices.The summit will include designated meeting rooms for investor discussions, with delegation rooms in the boardroom, lounge, and conference halls such as Modhumati and Turag, as well as networking spaces on the second floor of Hotel InterContinental.Key partners for the event include UNDP, FCDO, Grameenphone, the World Bank, and FICCI, highlighting the collaborative efforts to drive foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh.Organised by BIDA, the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 introduces the Excellence in Investment Award, a hallmark initiative celebrating investors shaping Bangladesh’s economic future.This honor recognises enterprises for their transformative contributions in areas such as investment scale, environmental stewardship, regulatory adherence and employment generation.

Ahead of the Bangladesh Investment Summit, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said, "There has never been a better moment to explore the extraordinary investment opportunities in Bangladesh."Dr Yunus said Bangladesh has undergone profound transformations with a forward-thinking investment climate. "We are committed to ensuring a level playing field for all our investors," said the Chief Adviser in a message to global investors.Dr Yunus said the Summit is a gateway for investors to have more data driven insights. "Come and witness the potential that Bangladesh holds for you. And join us in shaping the future of investment in one of the world's most dynamic economies."The Chief Adviser said he is looking forward to welcoming the global partners and investors in new Bangladesh.